How do you know when your rheumatoid arthritis is in remission? Blood work results? If so what markers? Joint pain stops? Fatigue & malaise subsides? Etc. etc.
Answer Summary
Members discussed how to tell if rheumatoid arthritis is in remission, with many agreeing it involves a combination of blood test markers like... Read more
Doctor runs blood tests for your sedrate levels showing inflammation levels and your body is feeling better. You should be asking your RA doctor how is your blood work is doing and ask them if you're in remission. Even though you're in remission it doesn't mean that you don't have bad days. The weather effects my RA as well as stress 😩
I also believe my RA was triggered by Covid shots and booster. I had Maderna. Mine started about a week after my 2nd shot and lasted about 4 months, some days worse than others and some days not at all. It was about a week after the booster things got bad and only got worse with time. Finally got an appointment with Rheumatologist and it’s been life changing since then. Thank God she was right on top of things. She rushed my blood work and was shocked at my numbers. She put me on Hydroxychloroquine and WOW!!! I almost feel normal again.
I absolutely blame the vaccine.
I was diagnosed before biologics were approved. Damage was done in my wrists and fingers before I could go on a biologic. At 25 years of RA I have never been in remission. With Enbrel my fatigue was greatly improved and it seemed to slow the damage. Pain is less with Voltaren. I also use cognitive behaviors for dealing with pain. If you are miserable perhaps returning to your doctor and seeing if another medication would work better would be wise.
I have seen many times that blood test results do not equal current state. In fact, its usually six months before they even start to register a flare. I had one true remission period. At age 11 my symptoms stopped and I was pain free until age 24, when they came steam rolling back, not only affecting the original joints, but getting in most of the rest of the joints as well. To me remission would be when you go a lengthy period of time without any symptoms. To me, any sign of swelling or pain means the disease is still active. Also, joint damage starts long before the blood tests show anything. That is why X-rays are taken at the first sign of complaint. Before I was even diagnosed with RA, X-Rays showed changes in my fingers. Early intervention is critical. Dr.'s need to throw everything at it right away and not go through the stages of seeing if any NSAID and methotrexate will give relief. Can't take a knife to a gun battle.
Studies have shown that drug induced remission is achievable with 20%-50% under these conditions:
Earliest possible diagnosis
Early aggressive use of methotrexate, combination DMARDs, or biological agents
Avoid smoking
Clinical Care dictated by tight controlled strategy ( intensive, goal oriented, measurable care). It takes a whole regimen to control pain. Combination.